2 arrested over Gatwick drone disruption

British police Saturday said they have detained two suspects following drone interference at Gatwick airport that led to partial shutdowns of the U.K.'s second-largest airport.

Sussex police said the arrests, made just after 10 p.m. Friday, form part of an “ongoing investigations into the criminal use of drones which has severely disrupted flights in and out of Gatwick Airport.”

A later announcement said a 47-year-old man and a 54-year-old woman from the local area remained in custody.

The Times Saturday reported that U.K. Transport Secretary Chris Grayling this year ditched plans for a draft bill to regulate drone use and develop technology to prevent them from being used near airports.

The outlet reported the legislation "had been due for publication in the spring, [but] was dropped amid pressures on the department, with civil servants diverted to work on Brexit.”

The British Airline Pilots' Association said Friday it “remains extremely concerned at the risk of a drone collision,” and had issued advice to pilots on how to respond to a drone sighting.

Gatwick airport said Saturday: “Our runway is open. Passengers are advised to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.”

Stan

If I may offer a suggestion though, leave the drones alone and train them to attack the knob with the controller.

Posted on 12/22/18 | 4:21 PM CET

Jo Docus

@Brendan Cotton

“Probably EU citizens.”

Nah, stroppy folk like that must be Brexiteers. Additional evidence: they got caught, so they can’t be all that smart.

Posted on 12/22/18 | 5:46 PM CET

Stan

Jo Docus

Remainers are happy people and better criminals… ~\o/~ OK.

Posted on 12/22/18 | 6:38 PM CET

Thomas Hilton

Close to Gatwick? Their motivation couldn’t be a grievance over aircraft noise, right? It defies imagination that drone interference at an airport is not a major felony considering how much this little prank cost taxpayers, passengers, and the airlines.

It is also amazing that the Defense Ministry did not break out its anti-drone weapons out of fear of letting their top-secret anti-toy technology be publically known. Maybe too close to Christmas?

Posted on 12/23/18 | 3:57 AM CET

Stefan М

We will see more examples, like this, of the British stupidity after 29/03 2019.
The best is yet to come 🙂